Franklin Man Charged In December Murder In Mercer County

A Franklin-area man was arrested Monday, and was charged with a December murder that occurred along a rural road in northwestern Mercer County.

45 year-old Ralph Young has been charged in the death of 58 year-old David Dignall, from Carlton. The victim was identified as Young’s brother-in-law.

Dignall’s body was discovered late on the afternoon of December 20 on the ground near his minivan along Hollabaugh Road in French Creek Township. Although the body was partially burned and there had been a fire in the van, an autopsy later determined that Dignall had been killed by a shotgun blast to the back.

Young was charged Monday with first and third-degree murder, the abuse of a corpse, possession of incendiary material and reckless burning. He was lodged without bail in the Mercer County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 22.